ShipStation Review: Features Pricing and More

Shipstation Software Features

ShipStation offers powerful features to streamline shipping and fulfillment. Users benefit from multi-carrier support, multi-channel synchronization, and robust automation rules—efficient inventory and order management tools aid in tracking and processing shipment status.

The platform supports USB scales, drop shipping costs and international shipping services. Key features include detailed shipment tracking information, customizable labels, intuitive returns management, and valuable ecommerce integrations. Dedicated customer support helps optimize shipping workflows.

Additional ShipStation features are listed below:

Support for Multiple Shipping Carriers

For flexibility, shipStation integrates with multiple shipping carriers, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and others.

It includes discounted accuracy of shipping rates (up to 86% off UPS and USPS international shipping rates) to help you save. You can pass the savings on to your customers if you choose.

Automation Rules

With ShipStation’s automation rules, you can dictate how orders are processed. The rate shipping calculator helps you view estimated postage rates across carriers, allowing you to choose the best option for different shipments. 

You can also use the Rate Calculator inside the Configure Shipment widget. Setting up shipping rules takes time initially but speeds up future shipments. For example, you can create rules to select a specific shipping service provider for orders from certain countries. 

However, ShipStation lacks support for recurring order automation, requiring customers to place new monthly orders for frequently received items.

Muli-Channel Sync

This feature makes it easy to automatically import orders from multiple sales channels, including your ecommerce website, shopping carts, and third-party marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.

Inventory Management

Monitor real-time stock and set low stock alerts so you know when to place orders with suppliers. This will avoid missed sales due to stock-outs and keep your inventory from getting stale.

Order Management

Save time by batch shipping, printing hundreds of labels, and packing slips. Automatically generate a pick list that sorts orders for a more straightforward order fulfillment process. SCAN forms are included for efficient carrier pickups.

Shipping Features

ShipStation offers many of the top features you’d expect from the efficiency of shipping software today, including:

USB Scale Support

ShipStation Connect lets you link printers to USB scales for seamless shipping label printing, even via the mobile app.

Dropshipping

ShipStation is a strong choice for drop shippers, supporting dropship sellers and suppliers. You can export order data to a CSV, marking orders as shipped once processed. Alternatively, create a restricted login for your fulfillment provider to see only their assigned orders.

Shipment Tracking

Send automatic shipping confirmation emails and access live shipment tracking updates. Some carriers offer a branded tracking page for customers.

International Shipping

ShipStation now supports international shipments by partnering with the Stamps.com Global Advantage Program. All users are automatically enrolled.

Create and Print Shipping Labels with ShipStation

There are multiple ways to make it easier to print labels with Shipstation. You can print from:

Orders Tab

Select the order(s) you want to print labels and click the “Create and Print Label” button. You’ll find this button above the list of orders, in your shipping sidebar once an order is selected, and in the Print menu options. Note: The label option appears after you’ve created a label for the order’s shipment.

Order Details

Click on the “Create and Print Label” button. “Print All” will print labels for all shipments in an order. The label option only appears when a label is created for one or more shipments.

Shipments Tab

Select the orders you want to print. Click the Print menu, then select the Label option.

Shipment Details

From the Shipment Details screen, click on the Print menu, and then click label.

When you print a label, you can either use Connect to send it to your printer or download it as a PDF. Connect requires installation on your workstation. 

Using the browser’s print icon will not update Smart Document Tracking, so the label will not show as printed in your dashboard.

Tracking Packages with ShipStation

To track packages, click the Shipment notification in the list to open details. The tracking number is the first thing you’ll see. In the mobile app, tap instead of click.

You’ll be able to see the:

• Carrier
• Service
• Ship From Location
• Ship Date 
• Label Creation Date
• Shipping Cost

Label Design Options

You can print your logo on labels using the logo uploaded in the Branding tab of your Store Settings. Print up to three customizable messages, each up to 26 characters, with dynamic information.

Returns Management

With any ShipStation plan, you can include a prepaid return shipping label with your packages. You can also let customers print their own via a branded returns portal on the ShipStation website, ensuring only used labels incur costs. Additionally, you can track return rates as a KPI.